Government an 'ally to help North East thrive'

The North East has the “greatest friends and allies it could hope for” to deliver its growth ambitions, a senior Government minister has promised.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told leaders yesterday (Thursday, October 10) Labour will deliver a “very exciting framework” in its autumn budget to help the region move forward.

Pledging an “unequivocal budget for growth”, he added the Government “could not be clearer in what we are willing to put forward”.

The Wearside native made the promise during the Northern Powerhouse Partnership's North East Growth Summit, held in Sunderland’s City Hall, which attracted more than 100 regional business leaders and heard from figures including North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

Focusing on economic development, infrastructure and social regeneration, the event provided a platform for discussion about how to unlock the North East’s full potential.

It included a welcome address from mayor McGuinness and Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, who discussed the resilience of the region, emphasising the importance of ensuring the city's physical transformation comes with meaningful social development.

Mayor McGuinness said: “There is no route to sustainable, sticky growth that doesn't fight poverty and work as hard to close the gap between rich and poor, and men and women as it does to lift the value of our economy – so we have to do both. 

“We will invest in the skills and the sectors that help us to grow, but the people of our region deserve to expect the wider benefits.

“If they can't feel the difference, there's no point at all.”

Councillor Mordey added: “We are clear that all the physical regeneration taking place needs to be supported by social regeneration work, to ensure our communities benefit from the opportunity that these investments present. 

“That is where the real productivity gains align for us; we must break down the boundaries to opportunity.”

To read a full report on the Growth Summit, visit Bdaily’s sister website N.

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